C.S. Lewis: A Life

""""Surprised by Joy"""" is C S Lewis' self-portrait: lucid, acerbic, sometimes arrogant, not always convincing. To a lifelong Lewisian, despite reservations about some of his philosophical and theological arguments, the autobiography, coupled with """"A Grief Observed"""" has always painted the clearest picture. Until now, that is. \\r\\n\\r\\nAlister McGrath is a fine thinker and a clear writer, yet never grasping for Lewis' still-unattainable mantle. He has given us, perhaps for the first time, an assessment of Lewis - the man and the life, as well as the immense body of work - that matches Lewis in critical acumen and fair judgement. This is not a fanzine biography. The story is simply but thoughtfully told. But McGrath's sharp intellect is never far away. For example, in discussing Lewis' WWI experiences he writes,""""Lewis was prepared to allow his country to have his body-but not his mind. """"\\r\\n\\r\\nA friend asked me the other day if I knew where I was when I heard the news of Lewis' death. I do, precisely: leaning on a gate at the Anglican Church's Port Hacking properties south of Sydney. This 50th anniversary book has that kind of precision. I love it.